Many of the homes in the neighborhood remain damaged and vacant, nearly three months after Sandy. While some residents return by day to work or pick up mail, at night, the area takes on the look of a ghost town.

"If everyone had their insurance checks, they would be working on these places and this could have been averted," said one homeowner.

Police have increased patrols in Lindenhurst and according to Gigante, the number of burglaries has actually gone down since the first days after the storm.

Nothing of value was taken from Britain's home, but the longtime Lindenhurst resident said the thieves ransacked the upstairs of his home, ripping open boxes being stored there.

"They took what we're trying to salvage," Britain said. "After what we've been through, that's just another kick."